What are the values we share for a healthy community - economically, socially, and environmentally?      MECOSTA COUNTY IS NOT BALANCED Good "government" is balanced, which is why Michigan has worked hard to alleviate the statewide gerrymandering issue and create voting districts that are competitive.  Mecosta County is not balanced Rep v. Dem, according to those who hold elective positions.   ·        We have 7 County Commission positions and all are currently Republicans.  ·        Out of 97 county-wide partisan positions in Mecosta County, 93 are republicans and 4 are held by Democrats.  ·         When a person wants to run for a governmental position, they run as a Republican so they can win.   We currently live in a democracy where each person has a choice of candidates from the local township/city government and up.  We must look beyond the "party" line and seek out candidates who closely align with our values.   But since the election of 2016, changes have happened as the Trump movement has grown.  The Republican Party has taken a sharp turn to the right, creating candidates who endorse the Trump rhetoric, MAGAs.  This has put much pressure on the common-sense Republicans who shake their heads and wonder "What has happened to my party?"   We have personally witnessed this division in Green Township, Big Rapids Township, and with our future county commission as elected officials split over the Gotion manufacturing plant.    VALUES of MCDP A function of a political party is to decide together what issues bring us together and create action plans for how we would like to make positive changes in our communities. In the spirit of human dignity and rights for ALL, we strive for: ·       Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion ·       Quality public education, including safe and modern internet service ·       Promotion of small business, family farms, and economic opportunity ·       Investment in, and protection of, our water, air, and land ·       Affordable healthcare, including reproductive rights ·       Living wages and benefits ·       Affordable housing ·       Common sense gun safety laws   Some of our values are being realized by legislation and funding in Michigan in the past 2 years.  For the first time in over 40 years the state of Michigan has the majority of all 3 branches of government, and have moved forward on solving problems.  The MCDP prioritizes issues of rural communities, who have for so long been ignored.   CANDIDATES THAT SHARE OUR VALUES The Democratic Party endorses the following candidates who share our values to make our "community a better place."   Tracy Ruell  stepped up to support the Gotion Manufacturing plant that would provide 2300 jobs with living wages.  She is a dynamic person with deep ties to this community and a vision to go forward by enhancing the economics of the 100th District. We fully support her candidacy to be our new State Representative.   For too long we have been dominated by Republican State Reps who are more concerned with their pocket books and enhancing their rich friends.  Tom Kunse was all onboard with the Gotion plant, until he got word from "higher ups" that he should oppose it.  This is contrary to what is best for our community.  Tracy listens to people and will work hard to solve problems and meet the challenges in Lansing for us, the people.    Big Rapids Township started the anti-Gotion movement. So much misinformation is coming our way,  via outside dark money interests.  We fully support the candidacy of Tim Hahn  for Supervisor, Karen GreenBay for "write-in" for Clerk, and trustees Krysti Kidder,  Amy Bowling  and Steve Sims.    They will provide open communication and transparency to the township that surrounds the Big Rapids area.    Green Charter Township has been a crazy ride causing so much division in our community over Gotion.  We fully support the candidacy of Joseph Percy  as Supervisor, and Trustees:  Katy Battle, Scott MacFarlane,  and write-in, Sara Rasmussen .   They are a team that will bring economic solvency and a step into the future, as opposed to the fear and misinformation that is currently in motion in Green Township.   Democracy starts right in our township/city local governments.  We certainly hope that citizens will go to their township meetings and know what is happening locally.  Good government needs to be balanced with more engagement of the local community.   Let's encourage this in Mecosta County.